1. Famous Explorers

2. Christopher Columbus Recognized that the world was round, not flat Convinced Queen Isabela and King Ferdinand to pay for his voyage to find a new route to India Thought he could sail west and reach India Did not know that there were other continents between Asia and Europe if sailing that way – North America and South America First European explorer to reach the New World Actually “discovered” Hispaniola – where Haiti and the Dominican Republic are today Thought he landed in India, so he named the people there Indians Made 4 trips total

3. Hernando Cortes Sent to Mexico to establish a trading route with the New World. Also sent to convert natives to Christianity Found the Aztec Empire in Tenochtitlan Mexico Within two years he destroyed the Aztec Empire, taking the riches for Spain. He melted down several gold artifacts into gold bars for easier transport

4. Francisco Pizarro Sailed to Peru to help establish a greater empire for Spain, as well as obtain more riches Found the Incan Empire Conquered the empire in 1532, taking riches and land for Spain

5. Ferdinand Magellan Portuguese sailor who thought he could find a way to get to the Spice Islands by water, instead of land Credited with being the first sailor to sail around the world (circumnavigate) Left in 1519 with 5 ships. In 1522, one ship, the Victoria, returned to Portugal, but Ferdinand was not on board. He died in the Philipines. Discovered the Straits of Magellan at the southern tip of South America.